Bruce Springsteen’s Longtime Guitarist Steven Van Zandt Undergoes Emergency Surgery After Spain Performance

Richie Sambora joined Bon Jovi in 1983, replacing Skid Row founder Dave Sabo. He stayed for 40 years, playing lead guitar on No. 1 hits like “Livin’ On a Prayer” and “You Give Love a Bad Name.” However, Sambora shocked frontman Jon Bon Jovi when he abruptly exited the band in 2013. However, he didn’t abandon music altogether, forming the duo RSO with Orianthi in 2017. But it looks like the New Jersey-born guitarist, 66, has had to take a step back after seriously injuring his hand in 2025.

Despite his fame and fortune, Bruce Springsteen has proven time and again his ability to resonate with common folks. Occasionally, that means writing from the perspective of someone who might be a bit down on his luck. Videos by American Songwriter. “Girls In Their Summer Clothes”, from Springsteen’s album Magic,...

Tragedy recently struck the country music world this week. Brazilian country singer Felipe Silva was recently involved in a pickup truck accident. According to reports, last Saturday, Silva was standing in the back of the pickup truck in question when the vehicle suddenly started, knocking him off the vehicle and causing a head injury. Silva was rushed to the hospital immediately after the accident.

With a career spanning nearly 50 years, Ronnie McDowell first launched his career thanks to Elvis Presley. When Elvis passed away in 1977, the country singer recorded a tribute song, “The King Is Gone”. That record quickly gained praise from fans. And since that moment, he has gone on to release several albums. But back in June, McDowell suffered a health scare when he started to slur his words on stage. While McDowell focused on his recovery, he continued to perform even with an upcoming surgery.

Looking to have a great show on Saturday night in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Darius Rucker found himself in a difficult spot as he took the stage. Like countless singers before him, Rucker started to notice his voice was going out. Hoping he could power through the show, with each new song, his voice cut out more and more. Wanting to give his fans the best performance possible, he decided to end the concert early. But not without making sure he made it up to fans.

The 1968 Glen Campbell classic, “Wichita Lineman,” is a song that seems to transcend genre, decade, and demographics. It’s as much a song for the cerebral intellectual as it is for the blue-collar working man. Written by Jimmy Webb and cited by countless artists as one of their favorite songs of all time, “Wichita Lineman” is undoubtedly in a league of its own.

Sadly, the American Idol community learned that longtime music supervisor Robin Kaye, who joined the show in the early 2000s, passed away after shot in her home alongside her husband Thomas DeLuca. While authorities continue to investigate the murder, which led them to arrest one suspect, former American Idol winners and contestants looked past the details and shared their love, support, and fond memories of getting the chance to work with Kaye on the hit show.

Remembered for his hit songs like “Taxi” and “Cat’s in the Cradle”, Harry Chapin watched his fame in the music industry hit new heights during the 1970s. His accomplishments within the studio led him to sell over 16 million albums and gain entry into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Outside of his music career, the singer also supported many humanitarian efforts, like fighting world hunger. With his career on the rise, Chapin sadly passed away on July 16, 1981, at the age of 38 when struck by a semi-trailer truck.

You know that feeling you had on the first day of school? Things were fresh, and there was an excitement in the air. An innocence, too. Like, where will this brand-new day take me? Well, in some ways, that’s what rock music from the 1950s sounded like. It was then that the style was just coming into shape. Like someone who’d been asleep, just opening their eyes.

Robin Kaye, best known as a long-tenured music supervisor for the reality competition show American Idol, as well as her husband, Thomas Deluca, were recently found dead on Monday in their home in Los Angeles. According to reports, the couple were both shot to death in the home, located in the Encino area of Los Angeles.

On this day (July 16) in 1990, a trial in which the plaintiffs claimed that Judas Priest caused the suicide of two fans began. The families of the two young men in question alleged that the band laced their song “Better by You, Better than Me” from Stained Class contained subliminal messages that urged listeners to take their lives.

While beginning her career working for Waylon Jennings in Nashville, Robin Kaye eventually found her way to American Idol in 2002. And for the next two decades, she acted as the music supervisor for the singing competition. Part of the competition year after year, Kaye also helped shows like Lip Sync Battles, The Singing Bee, After the Sunset, and even a few Miss USA pageants. Producing a promising career in the entertainment industry, the community was stunned as Kaye and her husband, Thomas Deluca, were killed in their Encino home.

Jon Pardi isn’t immune to dad guilt. During an appearance on Taste of Country Nights, the singer spoke candidly about the challenges of going on tour and leaving his and wife Summer Pardi’s daughters at home. The couple shares Presley, 3, and Sienna, who will turn 1 on July 16.

Last December, Taylor Swift wrapped up a staggering two-year run on her billion-dollar “Eras” Tour. Spanning her almost two-decade career, the three-hour spectacle set a new sky-high standard for live performing. Between “Eras,” her 14 Grammy Awards, and enough Guinness World Records to warrant their own Wikipedia entry, you could still make a claim that Taylor Swift is not the Greatest Of All Time—but you’ll have to answer to Jelly Roll.

Back in 1992, the Oregon Jamboree country music festival was created to help boost the economy surrounding the town of Sweet Home. Wanting to support the economy of the area, the festival quickly became a staple of the community. And over the last three decades, the festival entertained thousands and welcomed some of the biggest names in country music to its stage, like Toby Keith and Keith Urban. But sadly, after 34 years, the festival will come to an end. Although thanking fans, organizers revealed why the Oregon Jamboree ended.

On this day (July 14) in 1973, the Everly Brothers were ready to retire after decades of music, substance abuse, and behind-the-scenes tension. The duo announced their final performance would take place at the John Wayne Theater at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California. What should have been a joyous sendoff for the duo ended with a smashed guitar and an angry audience.

Cultural norms change over time. As a result, the media that we consume can be relevant upon its release. Then, years later, it seems corny and, when looked at with fresh eyes, makes no sense. At the same time, something can be perfectly acceptable when it is new, but may be labeled offensive or taboo decades in the future. Plenty of classic country songs fall into those categories. However, there are plenty of tracks that have stood the test of time.

The Beatles have a complicated history. Their time together was plagued by turmoil, which dampened their legacy. However, there are tender moments in the band’s collective history that remind us that they were once kids who forged a friendship with music as the groundwork. One such moment is Paul McCartney‘s “Little Willow.”

By the 1960s, popular bands and artists were actively involved in the promotion of brands and products, with many writing and performing jingles for radio and television. Coca-Cola pulled in everyone from Roy Orbison, The Shirelles, The Moody Blues, and the Turtles, among many others, to sing their praises throughout the ’60s. In 1964, the Rolling Stones were also commissioned to come up with a jingle for the popular cereal brand, Rice Krispies, months before releasing their debut in 1964.

How do you celebrate a theme park’s birthday? When it’s Dollywood, maybe with cinnamon bread and a 25-pound apple pie. Only those on park property today, July 16, will know for sure. Dollywood officially became Dollywood on July 16, 1986. However, the property, located at 2700 Dollywood Parks...

US Navy and Coast Guard crews, leading an international effort to choke off drug smuggling routes from Central America, have recently seized almost 8 billion dollars of cocaine, weighing in at more than 329 tons, in less than 9 months. That's more than 266 million doses of cocaine that will never reach US streets!

The Friends of the Attleboro Animal Shelter recently introduced Nora Banana, a one-year-old orange/red tabby cat who is looking for her forever home. This medium-sized young female has just arrived at the shelter and is currently feeling apprehensive about her new surroundings, but shelter staff can already see her loving personality beginning to emerge. "She is scared but we can see the loving cutie pie just waiting to crack the surface," shares the shelter when describing Nora's current adjustment period.

Great Dog Rescue New England (GDRNE), a dedicated foster-based dog rescue in Massachusetts, would like you to meet Cutie, a tiny 3-year-old Chihuahua and Dachshund mix pup who is ready and waiting to meet her forever family. Until recently, this small girl was living on her own as a stray in Tennessee, just trying to find enough food each day. “She was wandering alone down a dark street one night,” says GDRNE when describing how Cutie came into their care. “We aren't sure what her story is, but we are happy we found her when we did and hopefully can help her write her next chapter with a loving family!” Now living in the safety of a caring foster home, Cutie has since been thriving.

I’m not going to start this list with an SNL cowbell reference, I promise. The cowbell is an essential percussion instrument used in a wide range of genres, and it is occasionally found in rock music. While tracks like “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” by Blue Öyster Cult and “Born On The Bayou” by Creedence Clearwater Revival tend to be the most well-known classic rock songs to feature the sharp little instrument, there are a few other killer rock songs out there that use it. Let’s look at just a few famous examples!

In the late 60s and early 70s, New York City’s Fillmore East was the hub of rock ‘n’ roll. During its existence, the venue hosted acclaimed acts such as The Allman Brothers Band, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, and many more. It was the unofficial “Church of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” In June of 1971, three disciples of the musical religion descended upon the church for a one-off performance. Those disciples were John Lennon, Yoko Ono, and Frank Zappa.

Last September, Jane’s Addiction’s then-vocalist Perry Farrell attacked Dave Navarro during a concert in Boston. As a result, the band announced that they were going on hiatus and canceled their reunion tour. Now, the band is striking back against Farrell with a lawsuit. Videos by American Songwriter. According...

The Scituate Animal Shelter of Massachusetts recently introduced Bubblegum, a three-month-old puppy with an irresistible charm that has already begun capturing hearts but has not yet found her future family. With her scruffy fur, Chihuahua-like features, and stubby legs, this unique pup has become the shelter's latest dog on a quest to find her a forever home.

On July 15, 2025, Living Color‘s Vernon Reid will pay tribute to Sly Stone at City Winery in New York City with a wine and music pairing commemorating the music of Sly and the Family Stone. Sly & the Vine: A Funkadelic Tasting Experience with Vernon Reid of Living Colour is a one-night-only immersive experience that will blend live music, storytelling, and curated wine pairings.

Great Dog Rescue New England (GDRNE), a dedicated foster-based dog rescue in Massachusetts, would like you to meet Crazy Hair Harry, a remarkable 9-week-old puppy came into rescue after being found in a very unlikely spot. “This scruffy boy was found as a stray in Mississippi and was found in a dead tree trunk where he had been living and struggling to survive,” reports GDRNE. “He was so scared at first, and we are so lucky we found him when we did!” Now living safely in foster care, Harry no longer needs to struggle or be afraid, and he has been thriving.

On Friday, July 11, The Kinks released the third and final installment of their 60th anniversary compilation series, The Journey. The Journey – Part 3 features 12 newly remastered tracks spanning from 1977 through 1985, the commercially successful period when the band recorded for the Arista label. Videos by...